to mandela it was an opportunity. it was just a year into his presidency. no one expected him to don the green and gold of the jersey. just listen to the reaction of the crowd, a white rugby crowd. and when south africa beat the country celebrated as one. the victory parade roared unprecedented unity. >> this achievement has united the whole nation. and what happened in which more than 100,000 people participated. [ inaudible ] this event has united the entire country. >> reporter: mandela's manipulation of sport to build a nation was though accident. in the week leading up to the scenes knowing white still steered him the country's first black president flew to the team training camp and moments before the final he would visit them in their dressing room to say good luck. >> it is exciting. standing inside and photographs with the president. we respect him as a great leader. tomorrow we know one guy in the stand to play for and that is the president. >> before they went to the field i went to their dressing room and i told them that the whole country was b